Alta, IA

Iowa

Alta is a small town in Iowa with a population of 2,344. Residents earn $66,118 per year, which is 12% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
2,344 Population 2,170/sq mi density
$66,118 Median Income $30,836 per capita
$125,800 Home Value $206,560 Zillow
$915 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$66,118 median income, 13.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$125,800 home value, $915/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,118
12% lower than US avg
Home Value $125,800
55% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.5%
39% lower than US avg
Median Rent $915
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.0%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 13.4%
272% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.0%
44% lower than US avg

How Alta Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,344
Median Age37.6 yrs
Density2,170/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 63%

Economy

B
Median Income$66,118
Per Capita$30,836
Unemployment13.4%
Poverty7.0%
County GDP$1,938M
Commute14 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$125,800
Rent$915
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$206,560

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.4%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain33.8 in/yr
Elevation1,516 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.5%
High School+88.5%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute14 min
Libraries8

Is Alta a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alta receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Alta offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Alta is $66,118, 12% below the national average of $75,149. At 13.4%, unemployment is notably high. Only 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alta is $125,800, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $915 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

20.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Alta experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Alta has a population of 2,344 with a density of 2,170 people per square mile. The median age is 37.6 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (63.4%), with 7.4% Black.

Population

2,344
Total Population
2,170
People / sq mi
37.6yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.9%
Female 48.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Alta vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only74.4%
5% below US avg
Spanish25.6%
91% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Alta vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alta is $66,118, which is 12% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 13.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Alta vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,118
12% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,836
Avg Weekly Wage$1,036
IRS Avg AGI$67,827

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment13.4%
272% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.0%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)610
County GDP$1,938M

Business (County)

Restaurants38
Healthcare48
Retail82
Manufacturing25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,292
51% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.2 min
Work from Home4.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Alta is $125,800, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $915 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $206,560.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$125,800
55% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$206,560

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$915
21% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,292
51% above US avg
Effective Rate4.21%
In Alta, 38.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.4% report depression. 24.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Alta vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.0%
18% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma9.5%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.0%
Physical Inactivity24.5%
Depression19.4%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress11.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.0%
Checkup Rate75.7%
Premature Death6,218/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access79.6%
Healthcare Facilities48

Crime Rates: Alta vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Alta has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.1°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.8 inches
11% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,516 ft (462 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density2,170/sq mi
Coordinates42.6717°N, 95.3045°W
County FIPS19021
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 20.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66%
D 32.8%

Winner: Republican by 33.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.5%
39% below US avg
High School+88.5%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density2,170/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities48
Restaurants38
Retail Stores82

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.2 min
Work from Home4.5%

Nearby Cities

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